Going Green

“Green exercise” refers to activities done in natural surroundings such as city parks and campuses as well as open space, trails and natural parks. Studies show is delivers mental, physical and even spiritual benefits while providing positive effects on health, well-being and athletic performance.

I get that. My week day runs during the school year are utility in nature. 4, 5 or 6 miles in my hood before the sun comes up. Same loops, same streets, same pace.

But on Sunday mornings I head to the hills, the coast or the wide open spaces.

I ditch the podcasts and music; listening instead to the sounds of nature. Birds chirping, turkeys gobbling, small and perfectly harmless animals rustling about or the sounds of the ocean. Sometimes it’s just the sound of my breathing. I run at a comfortable pace and feel the stress melt away. It’s a perfect runner’s high.